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Original poster

Children's Indoor Playarea

16 replies

AnnieP · 09/09/2002 18:26

Hi, I am a mum to a 1 yr old and a 4 yr old and am generally disappointed in the choice of indoor playareas in and around Swindon. I have had the mad idea to look in to creating a new indoor play area for Swindon, where both the children and the adults would have fun. I am looking for lots of ideas so that I can make it what YOU want. Any ideas such as what you want from a play area, facilities, what you would be prepared to pay etc... would be gratefully recieved. Also can you recommend somewhere which is good...so I can look and see why! I look forward to hearing back from you, Annie.

OP posts:
WideWebWitch · 09/09/2002 19:15

AnnieP, the best one I've been to is Brewsters. This is because:

*They have natural light, huge windows and outdoor play area. Lots of Wacky Warehouse types seem to be dingy dark rooms with no windows.

  • They have nice staff at the one I've been to, who talk to the children and are friendly.
  • They encourage you to leave your child/ren to get on with it. Kids are tagged by wearing a tabard and an alarm goes off if they leave the room. You then go to the bar/restaurant. There are a few seats in the actual play area but you don't have to sit at them, although you can if you want to. There are monitor tvs in the restaurant and the bar so you can see your children but not hear them: ideal!!!
  • It's cheap: £1.50 or £2 for a hour I seem to remember.
  • It's clean.

On the negative side:

  • the food is the usual chicken nuggets crap with limited choice for vegetarians (and my ds is veggie)
  • The loos weren't nice. I know there are a lot of kids using them but I think they should be checked more often and cleaned if necessary.

The one I've been to is in Chippenham on the main roundabout on the way in. If I could add anything it would be a stack of magazines and books for parents to read, calming (classical?) music rather than supermarket background type stuff and Indian head massage/other treatments like reflexology available to parents. Yeah, right, in my dreams! HTH.

bayleaf · 09/09/2002 19:21

I agree with www - there is a wackey warehouse and a Brewsters near here and I definitely prefer Brewsters - it also is better for toddlers - the toddler part is better designed and they also do things like paintng with them in a morning.

XAusted · 09/09/2002 20:14

Our favourite indoor play place is in Derby, probably not much help. It's safe, even the youngest children can play but it's exciting enough for older ones. One of the things I appreciate about it is that there are lots of tables and chairs and you can take a picnic, thus avoiding the ubiquitous nuggets/fries. Things I've appreciated elsewhere have been nice tea and coffee available (real, not from a vending machine) and child friendly loos, ie, low toilets, sinks, etc.

Original poster
AnnieP · 09/09/2002 20:32

Thank you all for your replies, they have all been a real help.
Please keep the suggestions coming.
Thanks

OP posts:
bayleaf · 09/09/2002 20:35

Just to say that the site to find your nearest Brewsters is www.brewsterthebear.co.uk/restloc.htm

IDismyname · 09/09/2002 21:58

AnnieP
I've had the same idea, as the only place near us has crappy food, loos that smell, and almost no windows.... However, ds just LOVES it!
My additions would be:
Definately reflexology/ head massage and stuff like that...

A Smoothie bar, where kids could choose fruit and make up their own cocktails.

Lots of nice low cal stuff to balance out the crap, such as crudites and dips, yummy salads, home made soups and organic crap, so if they're going to stuff chicken nuggets, make them at least good ones!

Somewhere comfy for parents to sit... squishy sofas or beanbags.

The place that comes the closest is somewhere called Serendipity Sams in Romsey, Hants.

Let us know when you open, as I'll be willing to travel the distance!

tigermoth · 10/09/2002 10:24

How about combining an internet cafe with a kid's play area - obviously not in close proximity Parents can access mumnset, shop online, while children can run and scream to their heart's content.

XAusted · 10/09/2002 10:34

Excellent idea, Tigermoth.

WideWebWitch · 10/09/2002 10:41

Yes, GREAT idea Tigermoth. I'd be the one who wouldn't want to leave (can't you play for just one more hour?)

Original poster
AnnieP · 10/09/2002 11:00

Thanks for all your help. Keep the ideas coming.
An internet cafe/computer games room is on my list of possibles. It could be used by parents as well as teenagers who have been dragged along with their younger siblings.

OP posts:
Sid · 10/09/2002 11:52

It is amazing how many friends I talk to who would love to have something like that around and who say if only they had time, they would do it too! I'm in Bristol, which is crying out for something along the lines of what everyone has suggested. I think good food is essential (!) - the sort of place where you wouldn't mind going for Sunday lunch as well and where you feel the parents are also getting a semi-grown-up experience (i.e where you could spend the afternoon eating, reading the papers, surfing, while your children bounced around a soft play area....) Could you make money from it, though? I guess that is the other thing you would need to find out from successful ventures. Please tell us how you get on.

threeangels · 11/09/2002 00:14

How about those play places like discovery zone. Kids love to climb through all those tunnels, slides and ball pits. I think their great because its safe with all the soft mats all over the place. Some even have a section for the younger babies. We dont have any here but Ive been to many in the past.

batey · 11/09/2002 07:58

Annie P, have you been to Boomerangs in Melksham?

Original poster
AnnieP · 11/09/2002 09:57

Hi, No I haven't been to Boomerangs in Melksham, but have heard it is quite good. I am hoping to visit there soon.
Has anyone been? Is it good?

OP posts:
batey · 15/09/2002 20:49

Went today to a friends party. It was great, they're v. relaxed about parents going in/up with the kids (good for dd2 who's 2 1/2 and needs to be shown a route before going it alone). It's twice the size of last time we went and they're a many more "comfy" areas for grown ups! Worth a go........

Eve · 15/09/2002 21:28

Hi, there is one near to where I live in Hampshire called Serendipidity Sams (they have a website of same name) and it is great.

Only complaint is lack of parking, it is on a small industrial estate and parking is a nightmare both for parents and the owners who get constant complaints. There were a lot of objections to it opening from other traders...not a proper business etc, but it is a roaring success and they are about to open a 2nd site.

It is basically a 3 storey climbing area, with ball pools, slides, rope swings, sat in the center of the unit, with comfy sofas all round so child is visible more less constantly and an area for selling food. Admission is £2 per child.

Improvements I would like....indulgent reading material...(lots of hello's, Oks etc...what bliss to read nothing significant with a coffee), and better food, not nuggets, chips etc.

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